[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 242 (Friday, December 19, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59525-59528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23471]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of
Authority
AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Statement of Organizations, Functions, and Delegations of
Authority.
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has renamed the
Office of Child Support Services. This notice changes the name of the
office from Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) to Office of Child
Support Enforcement (OCSE).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Boyer, Deputy Commissioner,
Office of Child Support Enforcement, 330 C Street SW, Washington, DC
20201, 202-401-5410.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice amends Part K of the Statement
of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority of the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for
Children and Families (ACF), to be revised as follows: Chapter KF,
Office of Child Support Enforcement, as last amended 88 FR 36587, June
5, 2023.
I. Under Chapter KF, Office of Child Support Services, delete KF in
its entirety and replace with the following:
KF.00 Mission: The Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE)
advises the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary for Children and
Families/Director of the Office of Child Support Enforcement, on
matters pertaining to the child support and access and visitation
programs. OCSE provides direction, guidance, and oversight to state and
tribal child support programs, the Central Authority for international
child support cases, and state access and visitation programs for
activities authorized and directed by title IV-D of the Social Security
Act and other pertinent legislation. OCSE's core mission is dedicated
to establishing paternity and obtaining child support in order to
encourage responsible
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parenting, family self-sufficiency, and child well-being, and to
recognize the essential role of both parents in supporting their
children. The national child support program assures that assistance in
obtaining support, including financial and medical, is available to
children through locating parents, establishing paternity, establishing
and modifying support obligations, and monitoring and enforcing those
obligations. The specific responsibilities of this Office are to
develop, recommend, and issue policies, procedures, and interpretations
for state and tribal programs for locating noncustodial parents,
establishing paternity, and obtaining child support; develop procedures
for review and approval or disapproval of state and tribal plan
material; conduct audits of state child support programs; assist states
and tribes in establishing adequate reporting procedures and
maintaining records for the operation of their child support programs
and of amounts collected and disbursed under the child support program
and the costs incurred in collecting such amounts; operate the United
States and Tribes Central Authority for International Child Support;
monitor the access and visitation and fatherhood programs; and provide
technical assistance and training to the states and tribes to help them
develop effective procedures and systems for services provided by the
child support program, including automation, outreach, referral, and
case management in partnership with employers, courts, and responsible
fatherhood, workforce, and other programs to increase the long-term
reliability of support payments available to children. OCSE also
operates competitive grant programs for child support in collaboration
with several other components within ACF. It also operates the Federal
Parent Locator Service (FPLS); certifies to the Secretary of the
Treasury amounts of child support obligations that require collection
in appropriate instances; transmits to the Secretary of State
certifications of arrearages for passport denial; submits reports to
Congress, as requested, on activities undertaken relative to the child
support program; approves advance data processing planning documents;
and reviews, assesses, and inspects planning, design, and operation of
state and tribal management information systems. FPLS also assists
other federal, state, and local agencies not involved in child support
to fulfill their respective missions, save taxpayer dollars, and
improve service to the public.
KF.10 Organization. The Office of Child Support Enforcement is
headed by the Director. The office is organized as follows:
Office of the Director/Deputy Director/Commissioner (KFA)
Office of Audit (KFAA)
Office of the Deputy Commissioner (KFB)
Division of Business and Resource Management (KFB2)
Division of Customer Communications (KFB3)
Division of Policy and Training (KFB5)
Division of Program Innovation (KFB7)
Division of Regional Operations (KFB8)
Child Support Services Regional Program Units (KFB8DI-X)
Division of Federal Systems (KFB9)
Division of State and Tribal Systems (KFB10)
KF.20 Functions. Office of the Director and Deputy Director/
Commissioner (KFA): The Director is also the Assistant Secretary for
Children and Families and is directly responsible to the Secretary for
carrying out OCSE's mission. The Deputy Director/Commissioner has day-
to-day operational responsibility for OCSE. The Deputy Director/
Commissioner assists the Director in carrying out responsibilities of
the Office and provides direction and leadership to the Office of the
Deputy Commissioner and the Office of Audit.
The Deputy Director/Commissioner provides leadership and direction
to OCSE and is responsible for developing regulations, guidance, and
standards for state/tribes to follow in locating absent parents;
establishing paternity and support obligations; maintaining
relationships with Department officials, other federal departments,
state and tribal and local officials, and private organizations and
individuals interested in the child support program; coordinating and
planning child support program activities to maximize program
effectiveness; program outreach, as well as access and visitation
programs and advocacy interests; and approving all instructions,
policies, and publications. The Deputy Director/Commissioner is also
responsible for the operations and maintenance of FPLS, management and
financial analysis and strategy development, internal OCSE operations,
and compliance with federal laws and policies. The Deputy Director/
Commissioner is responsible for collaborating with the Office of
Legislative Affairs and Budget and the Government Accountability Office
on studies related to the child support program. In addition, the
Deputy Director/Commissioner maintains OCSE's Continuity of Operations
Plan.
Office of Audit (KFAA): The Office of Audit develops, plans,
schedules, and conducts periodic audits of child support programs in
accordance with audit standards promulgated by the Comptroller General.
The office is headed by an Office Director and reports directly to the
Commissioner. The Office conducts audits, at least once every 3 years
(or more frequently if it is determined that a state has unreliable
data or fails to meet the performance standards) to determine the
reliability of state financial and statistical data reporting systems
used in calculating the performance indicators used as the basis for
the payment of performance-based financial incentives to the state.
These audits include testing of the data produced by the system to
ensure that it is valid, complete, and reliable. The audits also
include a review of the state's physical security and access controls.
The Office will also conduct financial audits to determine whether
federal and other funds made available to carry out the child support
program are being appropriately expended, and properly and fully
accounted for. These audits examine collections and disbursements of
support payments for proper processing and accounting. In addition, the
Office conducts other audits and examinations of program operations, as
may be necessary or requested by program officials for the purpose of
improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy of state, tribal,
and local child support activities.
The Office develops consolidated reports for the Commissioner,
based on findings, provides specifications for the development of audit
regulations and requirements for audits of state programs, and
coordinates and maintains effective liaison with the HHS Inspector
General's Office and with the Government Accountability Office.
Office of the Deputy Commissioner (KFB): The Deputy Commissioner
reports to the Deputy Director/Commissioner and assists the
Commissioner in carrying out the responsibilities of OCSE. The Deputy
Commissioner provides day-to-day supervision and oversight of the
Division of Business and Resource Management, Division of Customer
Communications, Division of Policy and Training, Division of Program
Innovation, Division of Regional Operations, Division of Federal
Systems, and Division of State and Tribal Systems. The Deputy
Commissioner leads OCSE outreach efforts and builds collaborations with
federal, state, tribal, local, and
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community agencies to efficiently improve child support services.
The Office of the Deputy Commissioner provides coordination for all
OCSE contracts and internal IT systems.
Division of Business and Resource Management (KFB2): The Division
of Business and Resource Management (DBRM) is responsible for the
overall management and operation of OCSE administrative services. The
Division is headed by a Division Director who reports directly to the
Deputy Commissioner. DBRM leads all efforts related to personnel and
the formulation and execution of the discretionary budgets for OCSE
program funds and federal administration funds. DBRM develops,
implements, and manages all personnel activities; provides guidance on
all labor and employee relations; coordinates performance management,
employee engagement, and recognition; provides training and technical
assistance on business administrative services; manages OCSE-controlled
space, facilities, assets, and messenger services; and provides for
health and safety. DBRM also serves as the funding authority for all
OCSE acquisitions and grant opportunities, procures all goods and
services, and coordinates all travel and conference management
activities.
Division of Customer Communications (KFB3): A Division Director
leads the Division of Customer Communications (DCC) and reports to the
Deputy Commissioner. The Division has two branches. The Customer
Service branch responds to requests for information on specific child
support cases from custodial and noncustodial parents, the White House,
members of Congress, Office of Inspector General, state agencies,
reciprocating countries, and various interest groups. The Program
Communications branch plans, designs, and executes public outreach and
communications campaigns to convey information about the child support
program and engage with child support stakeholders. The branch is
responsible for providing guidance on strategies and approaches to
improve public understanding of and access to OCSE programs and
policies, developing and publishing informational materials on the OCSE
website, and engaging with our stakeholders through social media. With
these information channels, DCC serves as a focal point for consistent,
clear, and accurate program communication.
Division of Policy and Training (KFB5): The Division of Policy and
Training (DPT) proposes and implements national policy for the child
support program and provides policy guidance and interpretations to
states and tribes in developing and operating their programs according
to federal law. DPT is headed by a Division Director who directly
reports to the Deputy Commissioner and is supported by the Policy
Branch and the Training Branch. The Policy Branch develops legislative
proposals and regulations to implement new legislation, court
decisions, or directives from higher authority, and provides comments
on pending legislative proposals. It develops new state plan preprint
requirements and procedures for review and approval by the Division of
Regional Operations. Additionally, the Policy Branch reviews the state
plan submittals and prepares justifications for plan disapproval
action. DPT coordinates with the Office of General Counsel on pending
departmental appeals and collaborates with ACF on audit resolution. DPT
also implements Central Authority activities for international support
enforcement and functions as the U.S. Central Authority for
international support enforcement. The Training Branch provides
national direction and leadership for OCSE training activities to
increase child support program effectiveness at federal, state, and
tribal levels; coordinates child support program training activities;
and provides logistical support for child support training events,
meetings, and conferences.
Division of Program Innovation (KFB7): The Division of Program
Innovation (DPI) develops, evaluates, and refines new strategies to
improve child support program effectiveness and disseminates
information about promising and evidence-based practice. The Division
is headed by a Division Director who reports directly to the Deputy
Commissioner. DPI manages research and demonstration projects,
including Section 1115 grants and waivers and Special Improvement
Project grants, and promotes program evaluation at the state and local
levels. DPI also implements special projects of regional or national
significance, pilots new child support approaches, and administers the
Access and Visitation Grant Program.
The Division of Regional Operations (KFB8): The Division of
Regional Operations (DRO) provides direct oversight of all child
support Regional Program Unit operations, including ensuring customer-
focused partnerships to child support programs and services and
implementation of child support regional operations, policies, budgets,
and program compliance of all 10 regions. This includes oversight of
Regional Program Units providing technical assistance and support to
state and tribal child support agencies. The Division is headed by a
Director, who reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner. DRO provides
management and oversight of the Regions through coordinating activities
between Central Office Divisions and the Regional Program Units. The
Division provides information to improve public understanding of and
across to OCSE programs and policies. The Division is responsible for
providing oversight of all regional representation at conferences and
meetings both within the child support community and other
collaborative programs and partners. The Division is also responsible
for the management, receipt, review, and analysis of public inquiries
and the preparation of formal (both written and electronic) responses
to external inquiries for child support program information and
assistance in obtaining child support services.
Child Support Enforcement Regional Program Units (KFB8DI-X): Each
OCSE Regional Program Unit is headed by the OCSE Regional Program
Manager who reports to the Director of the Division of Regional
Operations. The OCSE Regional Program Manager, through regional staff
and in collaboration with program stakeholders, is responsible for (1)
providing program and technical administration of the ACF entitlement
and discretionary programs related to OCSE; (2) collaborating with the
ACF central office, states, tribes, and other external programs and
grantees on all significant program and policy matters; (3) providing
technical assistance and training to entities responsible for
administering OCSE programs to resolve identified problems; (4)
ensuring that appropriate procedures and practices are adopted; (5)
working with appropriate state, tribal, and local offices to develop
innovative practices to support family self-sufficiency; and (6)
monitoring the programs to ensure their efficiency and effectiveness,
and ensuring that these entities conform to federal laws, regulations,
policies, and procedures governing the programs.
Division of Federal Systems (KFB9): The Division of Federal Systems
(DFS) is responsible for the design, development, deployment,
maintenance, and implementation of FPLS. The Division is headed by a
Division Director who directly reports to the Deputy Commissioner. FPLS
is made up of a group of data sharing, collection, and program systems,
such as the federal tax refund offset program, that helps OCSE support
the core mission of the child support program and helps prevent
improper payments
[[Page 59528]]
in state and federal benefit programs through NDNH data matching. DFS
provides states with data to help them locate parents, establish fair
and equitable child support obligations, process income withholding and
payments, collect and enforce past-due child support, and communicate
effectively and efficiently. DFS provides outreach, technical support,
and training to child support agencies, employers, insurers, financial
institutions, and other private and government partners to ensure that
the FPLS systems are used to their maximum benefit.
DFS is responsible for automation of data and timeliness of
transactions. Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to,
oversight of collaborations with the Social Security Administration
(SSA) on technical aspects of their use of OCSE's data and OCSE's use
of SSA data center resources; conduct analyses and feasibility
assessments; develop requirements; and design, develop, and implement
system enhancements to increase efficiencies and support users of FPLS
information. DFS also ensures that all IT projects are managed
according to OMB/HHS/ACF standards for architecture, capital planning,
security, and privacy, and fall within tolerances for acceptance.
Additionally, DFS provides guidance, analysis, technical
assistance, and oversight to state and tribal child support programs
regarding performance measurement; statistical, policy, and program
analysis; synthesis and dissemination of data sets to inform the
program; and application of emerging technologies, such as business
intelligence and data analytics to improve and enhance the
effectiveness of programs and service. DFS is also responsible for
collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of state and
tribal data to Congress and the general public. The Division also
provides statistical and budgeting support in coordination with other
divisions. DFS is responsible for promoting public access and
understanding of data; managing academic/research projects; and
providing support for researchers. DFS provides technical assistance to
states in developing their self-assessment capabilities and
implementing the annual reporting requirements contained in the
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of
1996.
Division of State and Tribal Systems (KFB10): The Division of State
and Tribal Systems (DSTS) reviews, analyzes, and approves/disapproves
state and tribal requests for Federal Financial Participation for
automated systems development and operations activities that support
the child support program. DSTS is headed by a Division Director who
directly reports to the Deputy Commissioner. DSTS provides assistance
to states and tribes in developing or modifying automation plans to
conform to federal requirements. DSTS monitors approved state and
tribal systems development activities; certifies state-wide automated
systems; and conducts periodic reviews to assure state and tribal
compliance with regulatory requirements applicable to automated systems
supported by Federal Financial Participation. DSTS provides guidance to
states and tribes on functional requirements for these automated
information systems, and works with federal, state, local, and tribal
health and human services agencies to foster and promote
interoperability and collaboration across the automated systems that
support their programs. The Division promotes interstate and tribal
transfer of existing automated systems and provides assistance and
guidance to improve ACF's programs through the use of automated systems
and technology. It provides development support and guidance to tribes
on the installation, implementation, and maintenance of the Model
Tribal System.
II. Continuation of Policy. Except as inconsistent with this
reorganization, all statements of policy and interpretations with
respect to organizational components affected by this notice within
ACF, heretofore issued and in effect on this date of this
reorganization are continued in full force and effect.
III. Delegation of Authority. All delegations and redelegations of
authority made to officials and employees of affected organizational
components will continue in them or their successors pending further
redelegations, provided they are consistent with this reorganization.
IV. Funds, Personnel, and Equipment. Transfer of organizations and
functions affected by this reorganization shall be accompanied in each
instance by direct and support funds, positions, personnel, records,
equipment, supplies, and other resources.
This reorganization became effective upon completion of a
Congressional notification period.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.,
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2025-23471 Filed 12-18-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P